R.J. Smith discusses his book, “The Great Black Way.” He begins by discussing some of the historical figures that his book explores, such as, Chester Himes who fathered the black detective novel. He explains how in the 1940s when President Franklin...

D.J. Waldie discusses his book, “Where We Are Now: Notes From Los Angeles.” He begins by explaining how the book is a compilation of essays on the meaning of place in Los Angeles. He stresses the importance of building community within Los Angeles...

Lou Cannon discusses his book, “Official Negligence.” He begins the interview by explaining what caused the Watts riots and how the courts ruled against Rodney King. He describes how he was a journalist for the Washington Post and came to Los...

Steven Isoardi discusses the book, “Central Avenue Sounds: Jazz in Los Angeles.” Isoardi says the book covers the period ranging from the 1920s to the 1950s. He describes Central Avenue as the “Los Angeles Harlem” and talks about jazz musicians...

Sandra Tsing Loh discusses her book, “ A Year in Van Nuys.” She begins by explaining while this book may seem like an autobiography it is really a combination of fact and fiction. She talks about how people like the voice of an author to be in...

Lionel Rolfe and Paul Greenstein discuss their book, “Bread & Hyacinths.” Rolfe begins by explaining that the book is about the founding of Los Angeles and the rise of the labor movement in the 1880s. He talks about how General Harrison Otis...

Icy Smith discusses her book, “The Lonely Queue.” She begins the interview by talking about her immigration from Hong Kong to Los Angeles and her background growing up in poverty and moving to America for an education. She goes into the history...

Sandra begins the interview talking about wanting to poke fun at the fable that New York City is the “only” appropriate place for writers to begin their career not Los Angeles. For the majority of the interview, Sandra discusses some of the topics...

Lionel begins the interview discussing the important roll living and writing in California and especially Los Angeles has had on American Literature. Lionel and Connie spend majority of interview tracing out the different writers who lived in...

Kate Braverman discusses her book, “Frantic Transmissions to and from Los Angeles.” Martinson asks Braverman to read an excerpt from her book about traveling and friendship. Braverman then talks about what life was like moving to New York from Los...

MaryEllen Bell Ray discusses her book, “The City of Watts.” She begins by explaining that this book came from an oral history project on the city of Watts, California. She talks about the history of Watts and how it was a great place to settle...

Sam Hall Kaplan discusses his book, “LA, Lost & Found.” He begins by describing the architectural history of Los Angles throughout the years. He talks about the influence of architect Frank Lloyd Wright on domestic architecture. Kaplan discusses...

Patricia Smiley discusses her book, “Cover Your Assets.” She begins by detailing the plot of the novel, which is the second book in the Tucker Sinclair series. Tucker Sinclair is a Los Angeles business consultant who must solve the mysterious...

Dominick Dunne discusses his book, “The Way We Lived Then.” He explains how the work began as a picture book and later evolved into a book chronicling Dunne’s famous Hollywood parties and social soirees. The collection of photographs, featuring...

William Rehder discusses his book, “Where the Money Is.” He begins by explaining that Los Angles has been the bank robbery capitol of the world since 1979 and that the minute a bank is robbed it involves the F.B.I. Rehder explains that it was...

Brett Paesel discusses her book, “Mommies Who Drink.” She begins by explaining that her book is a collection of essays about things she and her friends have experienced. She talks about her time acting on the television shows, “Curb Your...

Heather Woodbury discusses her play, “Tale of 2cities.” She begins by explaining that the play traces the impact of the Dodgers’ 1957 move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. The play is in six acts, which are separated into two parts. The story charts...

Ray Bradbury discusses his book, “Let’s All Kill Constance." He explains that the plot is set in 1960s Los Angeles and follows an unnamed writer who serves as the novel’s narrator. The mystery begins with a visit from an aging Hollywood actress...

Steve Wasserman discusses his job as the book editor for the Los Angeles Times. He talks about the duties he performs at the newspaper, including choosing book reviews to be included in publication. He describes that he usually picks books that...

Gary Phillips discusses his book, “Bad Night is Falling.” He begins by explaining that his book is about a Los Angeles detective, Ivan Monk, who must solve a case involving a fire bombing murder. Phillips discusses how he created Monk from a...